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Oak Knoll PTO
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Monday, October 6
- NO SCHOOL, Staff Development Day
October 7-10
- Minimum Day, EARLY DISMISSAL at 11:20am! No After School Programs.
- Parent Conferences
- Halloween Costume Donation Drive
Wednesday, October 8
- International Walk to School Day
- PTO Board Meeting, 8:15-10:00am
- Be A Student For The Night, 7:00-8:15pm
Thursday, October 9
- Mandarin Immersion Charter School Petition, Parent/Community Meeting, 8:30am, Oak Knoll
Sunday, October 12
- Parent Ed Conference, 1:30-5:00pm, Hillview PAC
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Monday, October 6
- NO SCHOOL, Staff Development Day
October 7-10
- Minimum Day, EARLY DISMISSAL at 11:20am! No After School Programs.
- Parent Conferences
- Halloween Costume Donation Drive
Wednesday, October 8
- International Walk to School Day
- PTO Board Meeting, 8:15-10:00am
- Be A Student For The Night, 7:00-8:15pm
Thursday, October 9
- Mandarin Immersion Charter School Petition, Parent/Community Meeting, 8:30am, Oak Knoll
Sunday, October 12
- Parent Ed Conference, 1:30-5:00pm, Hillview PAC
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October 13 - 24
- New & Used Book Donation Drive
Tuesday, October 14
- Hidden Villa Field Trip (Cotter, San Filippo), 8:15-11:30am
Wednesday, October 15
- Hidden Villa Field Trip (Howard, Wood), 8:15-11:30am
- Exploratorium Field Trip (Becker, Cline, Murphy), 8:15am-2:00pm
Thursday, October 16
- SF Adventure (Clancy 3/4/5), depart 8:00am
- Monterey Bay Aquarium (NBA), depart 3:00pm
Friday, October 17
- SF Adventure (Clancy 3/4/5), return 2:00pm
- Monterey Bay Aquarium (NBA), return 2:00pm
- Ardenwood Field Trip (Guerra), 9:00am-2:30pm
October 20 - 24
See the Oak Knoll calendar for more important dates and events
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Follow Oak Knoll on Instagram @OAKKNOLL2014
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Oak Knoll PTO Membership Drive Meets Goal!
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Thank you to our community for a hugely successful PTO Membership Drive! Participation was a stellar 87% and we exceeded our monetary goal!
This means we will have adequate funding to pursue all our planned programs this year! Thank you again so much for your support and participation!!!
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 John Fuller, 5th Grade Teacher
Favorite thing about Oak Knoll: I love the sense of community between the teachers, parents, students, and administration. There is a strong sense that we all want what's best for kids.
Share a passion of yours: My wife and I enjoy helping college students who are away from home feel relationally connected. We have informally adopted a couple of college kids from Cal and have set up times where they can come over and study or just share a meal to feel a little less lonely at school.
A fun fact about yourself: I wrote a children's novel titled, Fly Car. It is the story of a 10 year-old boy, Eli Martin, and how he longs to spend more time with his overworked executive father, Michael Martin.
A favorite quote: "Necessity is the mother of invention."
 Alison Howard, 1st Grade Teacher
Favorite thing about Oak Knoll: The whole Oak Knoll Community is fabulous, but most of all, I love teaching my first grade students and seeing their smiling faces daily.
Share a passion of yours: I am passionate about my family, career, and travel. My family is my most precious gift. I have been blessed to have married a kind man who has given me twin boys and another baby arriving in April. I am extremely fortunate to be a teacher at Oak Knoll and so grateful that I have been given a gift that I love, teaching. My students bring so much joy to my life and to the entire Oak Knoll community. Traveling adds adventure to my life, as well, and broadens my knowledge of the world. I love learning about different cultures and will go anywhere, anytime (when school is not in session)!
A fun fact about yourself: I was on the waterski team in college.
A favorite quote: "Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier." -Mother Teresa. "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." -Maya Angelou
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Ollie salutes the following wonderful volunteers for their contribution in getting the school year off to a great start:
School Supplies: Jody Buckley, Rebecca Wargo
Kindergarten Welcome: Tara Carranza, Christie Connaghan, Emily Record
New Family Social: Kelly Schmidt
Room Parent Coordinators: Janelle McCombs, Janell Sanford, Amy Thornborrow
PTO Membership Drive: Karen Dearing, Kathy Maghool, Tamara Russel, Tracy Watt, Jill Wurster Fall Family Picnic: Andrea Auerbach, Katherine Hochstetler, Nancy Lieberman, Marla Powers
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Oak Knoll Basketball Registration Will OPEN October 6
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3rd, 4th & 5th grade Oak Knoll students can register to play basketball starting October 6. This is a recreational league offered by the city of Menlo Park and organized by the After School Sports Program. All practices are held at Oak Knoll facilities, and games are held against other schools in the Arrillaga Gymnasium in Menlo Park. Most games will take place on Saturday mornings and afternoons, with the exception of 5th grade girls' basketball games, occurring Monday afternoons and evenings. No prior experience is necessary.
To register your child, please visit TeamSnap. All teams are coached by parent volunteers. So, if you are interested in coaching, please email Stefano Baldassi.
For more information about the basketball program, visit the website.
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Volunteer in the Nature Zone
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The Nature Zone (formerly known as "The Wild Zone") is the fenced off area at the side of school (towards the back field/playground) where kids have the opportunity to explore nature and interact with trees, branches, leaves, dirt and all the "natural toys" within The Nature Zone. In order to have the resource open to our students at lunchtime, we must have parent volunteers to supervise the area. Many shifts are still available - please sign-up today!
Contact Becky Bullard for more information.
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Noteworthy Art Ordering Begins This Week
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Our children have all submitted their memorable drawings. Please watch your child's backpack this week for the Proof and Order Form.
Noteworthy Art cards feature your child's original drawing, reproduced on high-quality note cards, and packaged with envelopes in sets of 12. They make great thank-you cards as well as holiday gifts for relatives and friends.
This is your ONLY chance to order cards - reprints are not available after the order period.
Please fill out the order form and deliver with payment ($15 per package of 12 cards) to the office or use PayPal on the Noteworthy Art webpage no later than Friday, October 24.
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Girls Leadership Institute Workshops at Oak Knoll
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Girls Leadership Institute Workshops at Oak Knoll - Grades K/1, 2/3, and 4/5
GLI EVENTS FILL UP FAST - DON'T WAIT TO REGISTER!
Oak Knoll is excited to partner again with the Girls Leadership Institute (GLI) to offer FOUR Parent & Daughter workshops on emotional intelligence. Parents and daughters will learn about identifying healthy relationships, finding their voices, and communicating more effectively. Girls will also develop resilient responses to conflict, challenges, and mistakes. The program is interactive, fun, and enlightening for parents and daughters! New this year is a program for girls in Kindergarten and 1st grade! Click here to learn more about the programs. Who: Girls in Kindergarten or 1st grade with one parent, girls in 2nd or 3rd grade with one parent, or girls in 4th or 5th grade with one parent When: Grade K/1 workshops are 60 minutes long, and grade 2/3 and 4/5 workshops are 90 minutes long. Each workshop meets once per week for four weeks. There is one session for K/1, two sessions for 2/3, and one session for 4/5. The two sessions for grades 2/3 are the same content, just two different time options. Sessions begin in either January or February, with a break during February Break. Click here for specific dates. Cost: $180 for K/1, $210 for 2/3 and 4/5 Register here - Priority registration for Oak Knoll expires on October 20! If you have any questions, please email Stephanie Chen.
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International Walk to School Day
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MPCSD Celebrates International Walk to School Day this Wednesday, October 8.
Want to volunteer to lead a "walking bus" or a bike group to your student's school for International Walk to School Day? Please email commutes@mpcsd.org.
Since 1980, students around the world have been riding bikes and walking to school on this day. MPCSD is encouraging students, families and staff to consider using human power to commute to and from campus that day. Please click here for more information.
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Be A Student For The Night
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Please join us on Wednesday, October 8 from 7:00-8:15pm for a very special evening as our ART, LIBRARY, MUSIC, and P.E. teachers let us "walk in our children's shoes." Mr. Almquist, Ms. Bennion, Ms. Knight, Ms. Chiet, Ms. Tee and Dr. Westfall have planned a fun, interactive night that will allow parents to see what our children experience every day at Oak Knoll. All parents are encouraged to come meet their children's teachers. This night is a great opportunity to experience the programs at Oak Knoll that our community's donations to be Menlo Park-Atherton Education Foundation (MPAEF) make possible.
Please RSVP here.
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MPCSD Receives Menlo Mandarin Immersion Charter School Petition
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**This is a topic which affects everyone in the District. Please stay informed and attend meetings as relevant.**
On September 12 our District received its first Charter School petition from the parents of the Menlo Mandarin Immersion Charter School. Click here to see the entire Charter petition including petition signatures.
We encourage parents and community members to attend the following public meetings, to be held with Superintendent Maurice Ghysels, Board President Joan Lambert and Board Vice President Maria Hilton:
Parent/Community meetings:
- For Oak Knoll and Hillview communities: Thursday, October 9 at 8:30am at Oak Knoll Elementary School, 1895 Oak Knoll Lane, Menlo Park
Open School Board meetings will then be held at Encinal Elementary School and the MPCSD Office at 181 Encinal Avenue, Atherton:
- Public Hearing on Tuesday, October 14 at 6:30pm (Encinal, Multi-Use Room)
- Study Session on Monday, October 27 at 6:00pm (District Office, TERC Building)
- Final Decision on Wednesday, November 12 at 6:30pm (District Office, TERC Building)
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Last Week for Halloween Costume Drive! Book Drive Starts Next Week...
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The Caring & Sharing Committee wants to announce two opportunities this fall to donate to those in need: A Halloween Costume Donation Drive (9/29-10/10) and a New/Used Book Donation Drive (10/13-10/24). All donations will go to the Children's Fund of San Mateo County.
Last Week For The Halloween Costume Drive: Please consider donating your outgrown and gently used Halloween costumes. All costumes welcome, but please no wigs/masks, plastic guns, knives or anything that depicts violence. We will be accepting costumes for one more week (10/6-10/10). Barrels are set in front of the office and Multi for easy drop-off.
Please note that any Oak Knoll families in need of a costume for their children this Halloween are free to stop by and pick up a donated costume anytime between Tuesday (10/7) at noon and Friday (10/10) at noon. Please see Barb in the office to do this.Coming in ONE WEEK: Used/New Book Drive: Looking forward to Oak Knoll's October Book Fair? Let us help you prepare! When making room for those new books, please donate your previously loved books to the Oak Knoll book drive! Then, please consider buying a new book or two for the donation drive. All purchases help our school and donated new books will help children in need. All new books will be set aside and provided to needy children in San Mateo County as holiday gifts. The book drive will culminate in a book sort on October 30 (1:30-3:30pm in the small multi) in which Oak Knoll kids can help prepare the books for distribution. Everyone interested please come!
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Book Fair 2014 - Surf's Up on October 20
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Catch a wave over to the "sand"-sational book fair! We'll all be having a splashing good time during book fair week October 20-24! MTWF 7:45am-3:30pm; Thursday 7:45am-2:00pm. The beach is a busy place so lifeguards are needed to keep things afloat. We're looking for volunteers to help! Please contact Tamara Russel if you are interested in decorating, setting up, cashiering, working Family Night or helping in general. You will not want to miss Family Night, Thursday, October 23 from 6:00-8:00pm. Bring your whole family for an evening that's "shore" to be filled with beachy fun while you shop at the book fair. Questions? Contact Shannon Atkinson or Jennie Lang.
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Fly Car by John H. Fuller
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 Mr. Fuller, one of Oak Knoll's 4/5 grade teachers, has written a children's book which is due to be published this summer! He will be talking to the students about it during an assembly this week.
Fly Car, by John H. Fuller
Ten-year-old Eli Martin would do just about anything to spend more time with his dad. But Dadıs working overtime to save Martin Motors, the familyıs struggling car company.
One day Eli and his best friend, Earl, stumble on a classic cherry red sports car hidden away in the familyıs barn, and Eli starts to wonder: What if the red sports car could actually fly? A car like that could save his dadıs company--and send them soaring to new heights together. With the help of his family's faithful groundskeeper, Grady, Eli starts to put his plan into action.
What happens next? Watch for Fly Car, slated for publication in summer 2014. https://www.facebook.com/fullerflycar
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Oak Knoll's philosophy is rooted in the Mindset work of Dr. Carol Dweck. We teach our students the difference between a fixed and a growth mindset, as well as the parts and working of the brain. As a school, we write goals around this work because it applies to everything we teach and expect students to know and be able to do. My hope is that this year we can also help you to better understand the importance and application of this work! Here is a little more information and an opportunity that will get you started in learning more.
Read the rest of Kristen Gracia's thoughts on Growth Mindset here.
MINDSET: THE NEW PSYCHOLOGY OF SUCCESS
Carol Dweck
Stanford in Redwood City Speaker Series
October 16, 5:30-7:00pm (doors open at 5:00pm; general seating)
Carrington Hall, Sequoia High School, 1201 Brewster Avenue, Redwood City
Free and open to the community
More Information & RSVP: www.stanfordredwoodcity.com
Professor Dweck is a leading researcher on motivation and achievement, particularly known for her book Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, focusing on why people succeed and how to foster success. She'll explain how, with the right mindset, you can motivate students, employees, peers, & children to reach their personal and professional goals. She has been featured in The New Yorker, Time, NPR, The Wall Street Journal, Good Morning America, and many other media outlets.
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Bike & Traffic Safety Committees
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Tip of the Week: Bike Safety Month might be over, but it's always the right time to be safe on the road. We have all learned to use hand signals and stop at stop signs. But here is another important tip you may not have thought of: Always ride single file when you pass cars that are parked on the side of the road. Watch for them!
Bike Inspections: Feeling sad that Bike Safety Month is coming to an end? Don't be! Every month is a good month to be safe on a bike. In October, there will be four FREE bike inspections provided in front of Oak Knoll. They will be on Friday October 10, Monday October 13, Friday October 24, and Monday October 27 before school, 7:40-8:10am. Come by the bike rack area and let the professional mechanics from Menlo Velo look over your child's ride. They will check brakes, pump up tires, adjust helmets, and provide a general safety check. Due to popular demand, bike inspections for student bikes will be prioritized. This event brought to you by the PTO Bike Safety Committee.
Parking & Pedestrian Safety: When parking on side streets (particularly on Oak Knoll Lane) please remember to leave at least 3 feet of space between your car and the homes for pedestrians to walk. It is not safe for students & adults to have to walk in the street during peak traffic times at drop-off and pick-up. Please remind your caregivers also.
Biking Reminders: PARENTS PLEASE REMIND YOUR CHILDREN.
Please stop at all stop signs.
Pedestrians have right-of-way over bikes.
Parents --- Wear bike helmets and model good safety habits for your children.
Use hand signals when turning.
Do not bike in the middle of the road and please remember to ride single file --- be respectful of cars as the streets are narrow (particularly on Oak Avenue).
When passing other bikers, please make sure it's safe before doing so.
For more info on Bike Safety, click here.
Biking Safety Route: DO NOT BIKE ON OAK KNOLL LANE towards Oakdell. As a reminder, bikers should NOT bike down Oak Knoll Lane towards Oakdell as it is not safe with cars pulling in and out to park. The Bike Safety Route is along White Oak and Oakfield Lane when biking to Oakdell.
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THANK YOU to our families and teachers who have already pledged or donated to the MPAEF. Our goal is to raise $1500 per student and to achieve 80% plus participation.Commit your support via a pledge online by October 10 or in person at our on-campus pledge table Friday morning and accept our invitation to "Coffee & Conversation with acclaimed Dr. Jim Taylor" that same morning of an early dismissal day. Make it a morning for yourself!
The MPAEF proudly announce Shop.MPAEF.org!
A new and easy way to earn money for our schools while you shop!
Go to Shop.MPAEF.org for all of your online shopping.
Click on the link to your favorite merchant to activate our referral bonus every time you shop.
Shop and pay for items like you normally would.
Earn up to 10% of your purchase total for our schools.
Go to Shop.MPAEF.org to start shopping and earning now!
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"What Parents Need to Know About the Common Core and More"
Sunday, October 12, 1:30-5:00pm
Hillview Middle School
All district parents are invited to participate in the second MPCSD ParentEd Conference and are welcome to come for all or part of the conference as best fits your schedule. Check-in starts at 1:00pm. Don't miss this informative event!
This is a great opportunity to engage with many of our District leaders on important topics and developments related to your children's education.
Conference presenters include:
- Maurice Ghysels - MPCSD Superintendent
- Jennifer Kollmann - MPCSD Director of Curriculum and Instruction
- Ginny Maiwald - MPCSD Director for Student Services
- Alicia Bowman - MPCSD Director of Student Assessments
- Erik Burmeister - Hillview Principal
- Willy Haug - Hillview Vice-Principal
- Heidi Yamada - Elementary Teacher
- Lucia Nestler - Elementary Teacher
This year, we'll be covering the sweeping changes to the math curriculum lead by the Common Core, as well as new student assessments and report cards. There will also be workshops, taught by district teachers and staff, that will give you first-hand knowledge about what happens in the classroom, as well as tips and tricks for helping your student succeed in school. Free childcare will be available for children ages 2.5 through Middle School (special program for Middle School students to earn Block H points) to allow as many parents as possible to attend, but advance registration is required in order to take advantage of this option. UPDATE: The childcare for K-5 is FULL but you can register for the waitlist and we will let you know if someone cancels and a spot opens up. We still have childcare spots for preschoolers and space in the leadership program for Middle School students.
"I learned so much by attending the District ParentEd conference -- it was really interesting and inspiring" - Lydia Lee, Encinal parent of 1st and 4th graders
Register early to get your first choice of workshops and to reserve a childcare spot.
Conference Details are on the MPCSD ParentEd Page.
Register online for Parents & Childcare by Monday, October 6.
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"Raising Doers" with Mike Lanza, Author
Wednesday, October 15, 10:00-11:30am (note that this is a morning event!)
Hillview Middle School, PAC
This talk is for parents who want their children to grow up to be passionate "doers" who make a positive difference in the world. Mike challenges the common assumption that children must stop playing to develop into productive adults. On the contrary, doers are highly self-motivated people for whom work is play. Drawing from his background as the author of the book Playborhood: Turn Your Neighborhood Into a Place for Play, Mike shows how children can connect the dots from a playful childhood to an active, meaningful adulthood. Click here for this year's line up of speakers. These events are open to all district parents and community members. Free childcare is provided for all potty trained children. For more information, contact Jennifer Allen. __________________________________________________________________________________
"Parenting in the Age of Social Media" presented by My Digital TAT2
Monday, October 27, 7:00-8:30pm, Oak Knoll gym
Our kids are "digital natives" - they are growing up in a world of online access and ever changing media devices. Do you wonder how to teach your child responsibility and ethics online, how to ensure they are aware of their actions, and how to best parent them in the digital age?
The Oak Knoll PTO invites you to join My Digital TAT2 for a highly engaging, interactive, and informative presentation and discussion on Monday, October 27 from 7:00-8:30pm in the large multi-purpose room/gym. This PTO-sponsored presentation is recommended for all parents interested in an overview of the digital landscape and learning about thoughtful strategies to navigate media with their children.
Please note that this is a parents-only event. During the same week, 5th grade students will be participating in classroom workshops focused on "Safety and Compassion in the Digital Age", also conducted by My Digital TAT2.
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Kehillah Jewish High School's Admissions Open House
Sunday, October 26, 2:00-4:30pm
Kehillah offers excellent college preparatory academics in an inclusive, supportive environment. RSVP HERE or to Marily Lemer at (650)213-9600x154.
14th Annual Pancake Breakfast
Saturday, October 4, 7:30-11:00am
Menlo Park Fire District, 300 Middlefield Road, Menlo Park. Donations graciously accepted at the door.
Menlo Park Martial Arts & Character Development Academy
The free event will be held on Friday, October 3, 4:00-8:30pm in the Sequoia Room of the Arrillaga Recreation Center at Burgess Park. Pizza and water will be provided for dinner. Sponsored by Kuk Sool Won of Menlo Park Martial Arts and Character Development Academy. Register here.
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Please submit announcements and flyers to newsletter@oakknollschool.com for Oak Knoll events. For the Community Corner, send submissions to communitynews@mpcsd.org.
The deadline for both email addresses is by noon on the Wednesday prior to publication date. Guidelines for submission are available online.
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To read past Oak Knoll PTO newsletters, please visit our archives.
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